Planting Positive Seeds and Nourishing Young Minds

K-12 STEAM education

Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We aim to increase access to educational opportunities and green space, particularly for underserved youth of color. In the LBUSD, 60% of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and most identify as Hispanic/Latino (59.1%) and African American (12.1%). Students face limited access to quality educational enrichment, particularly in STEAM and environmental education. This gap contributes to reduced academic achievement and engagement. Additionally, Long Beach youth lack safe, green spaces for learning and recreation, further hindering their development.
We address these challenges through our Adventure Labs, which provide hands-on extracurricular activities and raised garden beds for students to learn where food comes from. Gardening activities can benefit students by relieving stress, improving mood, and boosting self-esteem. The Adventure Labs provide opportunities for students to connect with nature, socialize with their peers, and practice mindfulness.

Our project will increase access to educational opportunities and green space for youth in three ways:
We will continue collaborating with LBUSD to expand our Adventures Labs, uniquely combining multiple elements through our “Busy Hands = Busy Minds” concept: interdisciplinary gardening and STEAM activities, outdoor education, and practical life skills (like sewing). We successfully served 90 students at Washington Middle during the 2024-25 school year. Our goal for 2026 is to partner with three more schools.
At our garden, youth plant seeds, learn organic growing methods, and harvest food for their families. We partnered with the city in 2020 to transform vacant park space into a garden oasis for diverse youth. Annually, we provide 300 youth with STEAM, gardening, and nutrition education. We also promote community access to healthy food through a monthly food giveaway, which provides groceries for about 500 community members monthly. Our annual events, such as our Summer STEAM Camp and Holiday Gift Giveaway, provide safe spaces for youth to socialize.
We will train interns from local colleges to assist with garden maintenance and educate K-12 students. Since 2016, we have hosted over 200 college interns and provided training in seasonal planting, composting, organic pest management, and other agricultural topics. Our interns will lead activities during our Saturday Garden Adventures, teach students STEAM lessons, conduct grant research, and create marketing materials.

If we achieve our mission, LA County will witness a transformative shift in youth development, environmental stewardship, and community cohesion. In addition to serving youth from underserved communities, we offer educational/employment opportunities to college students. This exposure will bridge educational gaps and inspire a generation of environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens. Our garden models how nonprofits can collaborate with cities to convert underutilized space into vibrant learning spaces. This model, which can be applied throughout California and beyond, can foster stronger community ties, improve environmental awareness, and promote overall well-being. Over time, these initiatives will help reduce educational disparities, increase civic participation, and create a more equitable and sustainable LA County, aligning with LA2050's vision for a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable Los Angeles.